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From: mls@ittvax.ATC.ITT.UUCP (Michael Schneider)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Message to non-ultraorthodox Jews re: fundraising
Message-ID: <468@ittvax.ATC.ITT.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 29-Aug-85 07:32:35 EDT
Article-I.D.: ittvax.468
Posted: Thu Aug 29 07:32:35 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 31-Aug-85 05:47:46 EDT
References: <417@mhuxm.UUCP>
Organization: ITT-ATC, Shelton Ct.
Lines: 63

Having just read the posting (summarized to reduce traffic on the net):
> 
> A message for Jewish readers who are not aligned with ultra-orthodox groups:
> 
> At this time of the year we are beginning to prepare for Rosh Hashanah,
> the Yomim Noraim, and Yom Kippur.  At the same time, fund-raising efforts 
> are also being revived from their summer hiatus.  Furthermore it is 
> traditional to give to tzedakah (justly-deserved charity) at this time 
> of the year.
> 
> During the past year, a number of ultra-orthodox groups have made 
> strong statements of opposition to recognizing the legitimacy of your
> Conservative and Reform rabbinical authorities in the State of Israel.

> I wish to suggest to all those who are approached by such ultra-orthodox
> groups with requests for donations:
> 
> 1)  That you immediately ask any fundraisers about the position of their
> organization on recognizing Conservative and Reform conversions, or the
> position of their parent organization.
> 
> 2)  That you set aside all charitable contributions ... and donate them ... 
> to other equally deserving organizations which recognize the authority 
> of your rabbis.
> 
> 
> 4)  That you discuss this issue with older members of your family ....
> 
> In addition I would like to point out that one chassidic organization,
> the Lubavitch, also known as "Chabad"....  This organization has 
> taken special pains to be outspoken in expressing their position that 
> only orthodox rabbis have any authority.
> 
> --J. Abeles

I understand what J. Abeles is requesting: that we check out where our money is
going: we all should do that.  However, the criteria stated are questionable;
we are asked to make a determination based not on the people who will 
receive the money, but on the organization who will distribute it.  This
determination is to be based upon "political" divisions that are found
primarily in North America.  These movements are weak, is non existent in other
parts of the world.  In fact we are looking at a movement that, not only has
a European origin, but a Western European origin.  These movements have
redefined the laws governing Jews.  The Reform state so outright; the
Conservative attempt to twist the law to make the religion "more in tune with
the current times."  It should be noted that these reforms have not gained
total acceptance by all Conservative Jews.

In Israel, religious law governs segments of daily life.  The failure to accept
Rabbis that do not follow the stated law at the very least further divides
the Jewish people.  It should be noted that the problem areas are those that
effect not the people involved, but their offspring.  Thus, Israel has chosen
the Law of Torah as the religious law for Jews.  (It should be noted that since
about half of the population of Israel does not have its roots in Europe,
this supports a view of the majority.)

We have discussed in length on the net the problems that can occur when
incorrect (or non existant) divorces occur or when conversions are not 
conducted correctly.  Now, we are being asked not to give to an organization
which helps Jews in need only because they wish to keep the Jewish people
unified, not divided.  

Michael L. Schneider